ILKLEY
2018
DISCOVER
Discover Ilkley
BRADFORD SECTION
EMERGING D ESTINATION 2018 INSPIRATIONAL PLACE
Working in partnership with Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Welcome to Yorkshire is thrilled to present this guide, created to inspire visitors of all ages to discover the many treasures that the region has to offer. The City of Bradford has a unique heritage with a whole host of awardwinning attractions and we’re immensely proud to showcase them in this guide alongside some of Yorkshire’s best producers and suppliers. We’re sure that you will be inspired and enjoy discovering them all for yourself. Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive Welcome to Yorkshire
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe
NO PLACE LIKE BRADFORD
Bradford is an award winning and vibrant place. We are a young and diverse city which means we offer visitors many great experiences in one. Bradford is known for and is proud of its culture and heritage, food, outdoor activities, architecture, literature and art. Where else can you enjoy two UNESCO sites, amazing countryside, alongside a city full of rich history and culture? There is no place like Bradford; with four unique areas all offering distinctive experiences. Whether you are a new or returning visitor, you can spend time in Haworth, home to literary greats, the Brontës, or take an invigorating walk on Ilkley Moor ‘Bah’t at’. Spend a lazy Sunday with Hockney in Saltaire or experience a prestigious West End show at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford. With all this and more to tempt you in, it’s no wonder Bradford has been named the ‘Emerging Destination 2018’ by the Luxury Travel Guide. We look forward to welcoming you to our marvellous City.
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PICTURESQUE
A PICTURESQUE
TOWN Situated in the Wharfe Valley this former spa town at the southern end of the Yorkshire Dales rose to fame in the nineteenth century. Surrounded by the famous Ilkley Moor, it’s renowned for its invigorating fresh air and selection of quality restaurants and accommodation. With excellent transport links from Bradford and Leeds, Ilkley is the ideal place to stay, relax and treat yourself.
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THINGS TO DO
THE GREAT
OUTDOORS Ilkley lends itself to an array of walks and cycle routes. It has everything you need to get out and get active around the area.
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THINGS TO DO
Photo: Stephen Dinsdale
There are a number of short accessible walks on offer. These include walks onto the Moor, along the River Wharfe and through Middleton Woods. You can also learn about the town’s heritage by following the blue plaque trail. Nearby Burley in Wharfedale is an official ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town and encourages visitors who like to explore
the countryside. Alternatively there are a number of long distance walks such as the Dales Way which follows the Wharfe Valley on towards Bowness on Windermere and the Dales High Way which takes another scenic route north, to Appleby in Westmoreland. For more information on walks you can download the Ilkley Walking Guide from www.visitilkley.com www.visitilkley.com
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CYCLING Ilkley offers some fantastic and challenging cycle routes and is also home to the largest cycling club in the country. 8
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Ilkley Cycling Club has over 1000 members, and was an active part of the Tour de France in 2014 and the 2015 Tour de Yorkshire. In 2018 Ilkley hosted the first ever summit finish on stage two of the Tour de Yorkshire with Megan Guarnier being crowned the women’s overall winner in Ilkley and Magnus Cort Nielsen winning stage two of the men’s race. Ilkley was also named Best Dressed Host Location in 2018 with the town pulling out all the stops to provide a brilliant backdrop for the race. Whether it be a gentle family bike ride or a bumpy adrenalin packed adventure, Ilkley offers something for all levels of cyclist. Why not come along and see for yourself the amazing countryside and why Ilkley continues to be a top destination for cyclists nationwide. Visit www.visitbradford.com/explore/Cycling to find out more. www.visitilkley.com
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THINGS TO DO
ILKLEY MO Famous for the Yorkshire anthem On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at, there are many other reasons to come and explore Ilkley Moor.
Ilkley Moor is part of Rombalds Moor and is well known for its archaeology. The most important group of archaeological sites to be found on Ilkley Moor are carved rocks, known as cup and ring marked rocks. The carvings are thought to date from the early Bronze Age, around 1800
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BC. Their purpose remains a mystery and they are part of a much larger and internationally famous group to be found all across Rombalds Moor, there are over 400 known cup and ring stones across the moors. Probably the most wellknown carved rock on the moor is the Swastika stone, carved on a flat slab on Woodhouse Crag.
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OOR
High on Ilkley Moor the Cow and Calf is a large rock formation consisting of an outcrop and boulder, also known as Hangingstone Rocks. The rocks are made of millstone grit and a variety of sandstone. According to local legend, the Calf was split from the Cow when Rombald the Giant was fleeing an enemy, and stamped on the rock as he leapt across the valley. The enemy, it is rumoured, was his angry wife.
Local novelist Simon Armitage has written a sequence of poems, which have been carved into stones that are set in place along a permanent trail called the Stanza Stones Poetry. This extends from Armitage’s birthplace, Marsden in Huddersfield, to Ilkley. The last to be carved was Beckstone poem on Ilkley Moor.
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FAMILY FUN Ilkley is a great place to bring your children with beautiful countryside and family friendly attractions. ILKLEY LIDO AND POOL
Take the plunge at one of the country’s few remaining outdoor pools. Soak up a seaside atmosphere, enjoy a picnic in the tranquil setting and take in the fantastic views over Ilkley Moor.
ILKLEY TOY MUSEUM
The Toy Museum has many exhibits including dolls houses, dolls, teddy bears, lead figures and a selection of games. Items in the collection date from 350 BC to the present day.
RIVERSIDE GARDENS AND DARWIN GARDENS MILLENNIUM GREEN
The Riverside Gardens are a good place for a stroll and there’s an excellent children’s play area. Darwin Gardens Millennium Green near Ilkley Moor are unique community gardens, with some beautiful features.
ILKLEY CLIP ‘N CLIMB
Introducing Yorkshire’s very first Clip ‘n Climb. Where climbing meets the theme park in an exciting new leisure arena. Their range of climbing-based activities provide healthy, challenging fun for all the family!
ILKLEY CINEMA
Ilkley cinema is an independent cinema that offers entertainment for all the family to enjoy. Every Saturday there is a special kids film club, suitable for younger audiences and accompanying adults.
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THINGS TO DO
RETAIL THERAPY Centred around The Grove and Brook Street, Ilkley’s characterful and elegant selection of retail outlets offer a unique shopping experience. This boutique shopping area offers a range of independent businesses, selling everything from speciality fashion accessories at Coco Boutique to stylish homewares from Bay Tree Interiors. The children can be spoilt when you visit Herbert and Stella, which stocks a fresh new style of clothing and gifts for children with many exclusive brands and unique pieces that you won’t find on the high street. Remember to call into Mortens, a traditional hardware store which sells everything from paint to pie tins.
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FOOD &
THINGS TO DO
DRINK Visitors to Ilkley will love the selection of fresh food on offer. If you are staying in the town and looking for high quality produce try Lishman’s award winning butchers and Ramus Seafood Emporium. Ilkley also has an excellent selection of quality restaurants. Indulge in some Michelin star dining at the prestigious, award winning Box Tree restaurant. Friends of Ham is an eating and drinking emporium. Serving an amazing array of ales and bottled beers alongside freshly cut charcuterie and local and international cheeses. Treat yourself at Monkmans, an authentic French restaurant. Enjoy the daily fish specials and extensive wine list in typically French style surroundings or try Bistro Saigon for authentic Vietnamese meals. Ilkley is also home to Betty’s Café and Tea Rooms, a Yorkshire institution famous for Fat Rascals and Afternoon Tea. Situated on The Grove it is a perfect place to relax after a few days of sightseeing.
EVENING
If you fancy evening drinks, Ilkley offers an array of real ale bars including The Flying Duck, The Crescent and Bar T’at. If you prefer a more refined experience why not visit the roof garden at Piccolino’s or The Black Hat and treat yourself to some Champagne or Prosecco. Latest additions to Ilkley’s nightlife includes Banyan and the Ticket Office Bar, a perfect meeting place before heading to the Playhouse or the King’s Hall and Winter Gardens for a live show.
REAL FOOD ILKLEY
Every month Ilkley holds a speciality fine food market. Created for local producers, visitors come from miles around to taste Yorkshire’s finest handmade fresh produce. The market runs from 10.00am to 3.00pm on the first Sunday of every month and is definitely one for the diary. www.visitilkley.com
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THINGS TO DO
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THINGS TO DO
EVENTS Ilkley holds a number of fantastic festivals throughout the year, including exciting events at the King’s Hall and Winter Gardens and captivating concerts at the Ilkley Bandstand. COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE FESTIVAL - APRIL & OCTOBER
Established in 1988, the twice yearly Complementary Medicine Festival attracts well over 2000 visitors, with exhibitors and practitioners from all over the country.
TOUR DE YORKSHIRE – MAY
4th May sees the return of this famous bike race, which spans the breadth of Yorkshire. Stage 2 will come to a dramatic hill climb close at the Cow and Calf rocks.
AEGON ILKLEY TROPHY JUNE
The world of elite international tennis will return to the Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club from 16-24 June, for the Aegon Ilkley Trophy. Situated on the edge of beautiful countryside, offering a true Yorkshire welcome, Ilkley provides an ideal location for this annual event.
ILKLEY SUMMER FESTIVAL AUGUST
with lots of events including concerts, theatre productions and a flavoursome continental market.
SOUTH PENNINES WALKING FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER
Visit the South Pennines for two weeks of discovery and pleasure that include walks, cycle rides, horse rides and much more.
ILKLEY LITERATURE FESTIVAL - OCTOBER The Ilkley Literature Festival is the north of England’s liveliest and most prestigious literature festival. Authors’ events, discussions, readings, performances and workshops as well as literary walks, poetry and children’s events make this an exciting festival for people of all ages.
ILKLEY ART TRAIL - OCTOBER
A popular art trail covering over 28 venues showcasing the best in local art, including paintings, sculpture, ceramics, glass, fabric and artist-made jewellery.
Taking advantage of the weather, August is a fun time to be in Ilkley
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TO THE M6 FOR BIRMINGHAM AND CUMBRIA TO LONDON BY RAIL
TO LONDON BY RAIL
HOW TO GET HERE BRADFORD BY RAIL
BRADFORD BY SEA
Bradford is easy to get to from other parts of the country. Travel to Bradford with high-speed trains from either London North Eastern Railway and Grand Central services. Northern Rail also offer direct services to Bradford from the North West.
Ferry services to Hull and Newcastle link Bradford with Northern Europe. P&O ferries operate overnight services to Hull from Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.
BRADFORD BY AIR
Britain’s biggest and fastest highways cross Yorkshire from north to south and east to west, making getting to Bradford by car or by coach very simple. Multiple bus operators run services to Ilkley from Leeds and Bradford. For details of the quickest (or the most scenic) driving routes see the AA or RAC websites www.theaa.com and www.rac.co.uk.
International flights connect Yorkshire to the rest of the world, as well as UK flights from Aberdeen, Belfast, Glasgow, London Heathrow, Newquay and Southampton to Leeds Bradford Yorkshire’s Airport, Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Humberside Airport and Durham Tees Valley Airport.
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BRADFORD BY ROAD
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INFORMATION
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INFORMATION
ENJOY
A STAY WITH US Ilkley has an array of places to stay in and around the area, all of which offer you the chance to fully explore everything Ilkley has to offer. With a range of accommodation on offer from five star self-catering to Georgian hotels, we are sure you will be able to find something that will make your stay enjoyable and memorable. To find out more about where to stay visit: www.visitbradford.com/accommodation
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STAY IN
THE KNOW Keep up to date and tell us what you are up to through social media, we are on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as VisitBradford.
Bradford has a brilliant and exciting annual events programme. To find out about what’s on throughout the year visit www.visitbradford.com/events Look out for our Discover Guides, available for Bradford, Haworth and Brontë Country and Saltaire. We can also provide a full Bradford Visitor Guide that covers the whole of Bradford and District. Contact our helpful team on 01274 433678 or go to our website www.visitbradford.com Don’t forget use
#visitbradford in your posts and tweets so we can share, like and retweet.
The wording in this publication can be made available in other formats such as large print and Braille. Please call 01274 433678. www.visitilkley.com
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